NCF Fly Rules

NBRC National Championship Fly

Official 20 Bird Competition Rules

Kit size

The kit size may range from 15 to 20 birds

Time-in

The flyer shall have up to five minutes from release of the first bird to declare
“time-in, after which scoring shall commence. Prior to time-in, the flyer may delete
from the kit, or release additional birds as substitutions for, any birds that land,
crash, or are captured by predators. Upon declaring time-in, the flyer shall also
announce the kit size. At time-in, all birds in the air, which were released by the
flyer, shall be considered part of the kit. Any birds over 20 shall be considered extra birds
and their number shall be discounted from all kit turns whether they are in or out
of the kit during such turns.

Fly time

The kit is “in judgment” for 20 minutes after time-in or until the second bird lands,
whichever occurs first. However, the kit shall be disqualified if more than one bird
fails to fly for at least 15 minutes after time-in unless driven down by a bird of prey
or extreme weather. A bird down that spontaneously crashes (after one bird has landed)
shall be given up to 10 seconds to resurrect and resume flight or else it shall be
considered the second bird down.

Time-out

Upon the flyer’s request, the judge may call a single discretionary “time-out” for up
to 5 minutes in case of an attack by a bird of prey, blow-away, or other whim of nature.
The judge shall resume judging when the flyer requests or when the 5 minutes has expired,
whichever occurs first. The duration of the time-out extends the 20-minute judgment time
but has no effect on the 15-minute minimum qualification time.

Out-Birds

Except for a 15-bird kit, scoring shall continue if one bird leaves the kit (“out bird”).
Scoring shall be suspended but timing shall continue if 2 or more birds are out.
Although it cannot score while apart from the kit, a pigeon shall not be considered
out if it is returning directly from a roll, has been separated by extreme weather, or
has been chased off by a bird of prey, even if the pigeon lands or is captured.

Extra birds

If additional Rollers join the kit, a simple discount for the extra birds shall be
made for each turn involved. If the extra birds can be distinguished from the other
birds in the turn, by the judge, then the discount should not be given. For example,
if 2 indistinguishable extra birds were in the kit and 7 roll together, the judge
would score 5.

Scoring

It is preferable for the region to furnish a timekeeper/scribe for the judge.
If only the flyer and judge are present, the judge should keep score. The
judge shall estimate and record the number of birds rolling adequately in unison
for each break involving 5 or more. No waterfall action should be scored. Afterwards,
the judge shall multiply those numbers by 1 for (5-9), 2 for (10-14), 3 for (15-19)
and 5 for 20. Those results shall be added together to produce a raw score. Next
the raw score shall be multiplied by a quality factor of 1.0 for “adequate to 2.0
for “truly phenomenal” based upon the judges overall impression of the average
quality exhibited in all of the turns scored. Likewise, a depth or duration factor
of 1.0 to 2.0 shall be multiplied to produce a final score. A group of 5 birds is
the minimum number that can score if the remainder of the kit are returning directly
from a roll, have been separated by extreme weather, or have been chased off by a
bird of prey. The suggested minimum depth for scoring is 10 feet. The judge shall
announce the final score before leaving.

Interference

Any interference with the kit after “time-in” may lead to disqualification.
Attempts to ward off birds of prey are allowed, but any directly related kit
activity shall not be scored.

Integrity

The judge shall NOT score anything that does not meet his standard for adequate
quality and depth or duration of performance. This competition is for ROLLERS
and not tumblers! Roller flying is a subjective sport and the judge may have to
make allowances for extraordinary circumstances. In any case, the judges decision
is final and anyone verbally or physically attacking the judge will be disqualified
from the fly and may be banned from future NBRC events.

11 Bird Kit Rules

Kit Size

The kit size shall be 11 birds.

Time in

The flyer shall have up to 5 {five} minutes from release of the first bird to declare
“time-in”, after which scoring shall commence. Prior to time-in the flyer can make
whatever adjustments to the kit he deems necessary. At time-in there must be at
least 11 birds in the air or the kit will be disqualified. At time-in, all birds
in the air, which were released by the flyer, shall be considered part of the kit.

Fly Time

The kit is “in judgment” for 20 minutes after time-in or until the second bird lands,
whichever occurs first. However, the kit shall be disqualified if more than one
bird fails to fly for at least 15 minutes after time-in unless driven down by a
bird of prey or extreme weather. A bird down that spontaneously crashes (after one
bird has landed) shall be given up to 10 seconds to resurrect and resume flight
or else it shall be considered the second bird down.

Time-out

Upon the flyer’s request, the judge may call a single discretionary “time-out” for
up to 5 minutes in case of an attack by a bird of prey, blow-away, or other whim
of nature. The judge shall resume judging when the flyer request or when the 5 minutes
has expired, whichever occurs first. The duration of the time-out extends the 20-minutes
judgment time but has no effect on the 15-minutes minimum qualification time.

Out-Birds

Scoring shall be suspended but timing shall continue if 2 or more birds are out.
Although it cannot score while apart from the kit, a pigeon shall not be considered
out if it is returning directly from a roll, has been separated by extreme weather,
or has been chased off by a bird of prey, even if the pigeon lands or is captured.

Extra Birds

If additional rollers join the the kit and are indistinguishable a penalty of 10%
per bird will be deducted from points scored while the extra birds are in the kit.
If the roller can be distinguished by the judge or is determined not to be a roller
by the judge, then no penalty will be deducted from the scored points. If more than
11 birds are released by the flyer and are in the air at the start of time-in, a
penalty of 20% per bird over 11 will be deducted from the final score. If a bird
is substituted for and becomes airborne after time-in it will be considered an extra
bird and a penalty of 10% per bird will be assessed to the points scored while in
the kit.

Judging Standards

The bird must turn over backwards, spinning quickly like a ball.

The bird must fall vertically with the appearance of a straight line from start
to finish.

The bird should finish cleanly and not tail ride or plate roll at the end.

Loose, Slow, Sloppy, and/or plate rollers should not be scored.

Birds that roll less than 10 ft. should not be scored.

The bird must roll from the kit and must return to the kit before it can be scored
again. If the bird rolls prior to rejoining the kit it does not score and is considered
an out bird until it rejoins the kit.

Scoring

It is preferable for the region to furnish a timekeeper/scribe for the judge. If
only the flyer and judge are present, the judge should keep score. Birds can score
individually or collectively. Simultaneous performance is not a requirement. The
judge shall estimate and record the number the number of the birds rolling adequately
according to the rules for this contest. Each category should be recorded separately
to show the profile of the kit. The raw score shall be added first then combined
with the bonus score for the total score. The judge shall announce the final score
before leaving. Points should be awarded as follows:

10 to 19 ft. = 1 point

20 to 29 ft. = 2 points

30 ft. plus = 3 points

Bonus Points: Exceptional speed = 1 point

Bonus Points: Exceptional depth (45 ft. plus) = 1 point

An exceptionally fast and deep pigeon could receive a maximum of five points.

Interference

Any interference with the kit after “time-in” may lead to disqualification. Attempts
to ward off birds of prey are allowed, but any directly related kit activity shall
not be scored.

Integrity

The judge shall NOT score anything that does not meet his standard for adequate
quality and depth or duration of performance. This competition is for ROLLERS and
not tumblers! Roller flying is a subjective sport and the judge may have to make
allowances for extraordinary circumstances. In any case, the judge’s decision is
final and anyone verbally or physically attacking the judge will be disqualified
from the fly and may be banned from future NBRC events.